The county commission last week failed to second a motion to approve a required plan for continued participation in the state’s Three Star Program. Three Star status is awarded to counties that demonstrate readiness for economic development.

As a reward, the state gives extra credit on grant applications. Polk, one of 85 counties in the program, was first accepted two years ago after several years of research and planning by the Three Star committee, which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Southeast Tennessee Development District.

At last week’s county commission meeting, John Pippenger made the motion to approved the Economic Development Five-Year Strategic Plan. His motion died for lack of a second. Other commissioners at the meeting were Chairman Mark Bishop, Greg Brooks, Wanda Cheek, Daniel Deal, Pippenger, and Daren Waters. Buster Lewis, Kevin Stephens and Fred Wilcoxon were absent.

County Executive Mike Stinnett presented the plan, saying commission approval is required for the county to be eligible. He explained that the plan is an annual update of the plan first developed in 2006. Brooks asked what Three Star is and Pippenger said it helps the county by giving extra points on grant applications.

After the meeting, the commission was asked why they did not approve the plan and there was no comment. Brooks said later that he wasn’t going to approve anything until the county gets some money from the outfitters. Waters said he had a question about the goal of promoting community education, which called for support for the use of Kimsey College as an educational institution. Pippenger said he thought it was a good program for the county.

The strategic plan sets goals and action items in several areas, including Planning & Infrastructure, Leadership, Community Development, Economic Development, Education and Workforce Development, Agriculture, Education, Existing Industry, Healthcare. Each goal lists organizations and agencies that could play a role in meeting the goal and possible actions that could be taken.

Among the goals are:

• Develop county and city infrastructure to support the needs and growth of business, industry and residents

• Begin a Youth Leadership Program

• Develop housing, beautification, heritage and historic preservation to foster community pride

• Increase the industrial and tourism base to provide jobs with a living wage

• Increase the number of high school students pursuing higher education

• Develop and promote agri-tourism

• Preserve farmland and agriculture heritage

• Promote Chilhowee Farmer’s Market

• Promote community education

• Increase the number of adults with a high school education

• Hold an educational forum for business and industry

• Make existing industry feel appreciated

• Provide quality health care

• Lower the teen pregnancy rate

• Reduce weight problems in sixth grade students

• Make the area attractive to tourists

• Enhance regional tourism that supports local businesses and increases revenue

• Develop and promote heritage tourism efforts

• Enhance the skills of the county’s workforce